API Tech Lead

Job#: 3032600

Job Description:
API Tech Lead

Location: 100% REMOTE (US)

Employment Type: Contract

Role Overview

The ideal candidate is a Ruby engineer and technical leader who can balance hands-on development with team leadership. The person in this role is responsible for leading a technical team through the design, development, and maintenance of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that enable communication between different software systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of APIs, including specifications, endpoints, data models, and protocols such as REST and GraphQL.
• Provide technical leadership to a team of 3-4 developers, guiding design decisions and engineering best practices.
• Remain hands-on in the codebase, contributing production-grade code for core services.
• Conduct code reviews to ensure code quality, maintainability, and security.
• Partner with an Engineering Crew Lead and API Architect to review solution design and deliver robust, scalable solutions.
• Ensure seamless integration of APIs with internal systems, external applications, and third-party services.
• Promote the effective use of AI-enabled tools in the API development lifecycle to improve productivity and code quality.
• Create and maintain clear, comprehensive API documentation for consumers, including usage guidance and best practices.
• Implement and uphold security best practices, including authentication, authorization, and encryption.
• Interface with external engineering teams to ensure alignment on technical standards and governance requirements.
• Monitor and optimize API performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Manage API versioning and support backward compatibility as services evolve.
• Provide ongoing support, troubleshoot production issues, and implement enhancements based on stakeholder feedback.
• Participate in Tier 1 and Tier 2 on-call operations.

Required Qualifications

Experience: 6+ years of Ruby on Rails experience.

Technical Skills:

• Experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL or MySQL.
• Experience with the RSpec testing framework.
• Experience designing, building, and maintaining APIs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Docker, Kubernetes, and Helm.
• Familiarity with application security principles and secure development practices.
• Familiarity with Git version control.
• Familiarity with OAuth.
• Experience with async job processing (e.g., Sidekiq).
• Experience with Spring Boot / Java.

Compensation and Benefits

For this opportunity, you will also be eligible for benefits and perks such as: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach.

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.

Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.

If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at or .

Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Everforth Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.

Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.